In response to the shocking case of David Fuller’s mortuary abuse, the UK government has announced significant reforms aimed at imposing tougher sentences on criminals who sexually abuse deceased individuals.
Justice Minister Laura Farris revealed plans to amend existing legislation dating back to 2003, with the intention of increasing the maximum prison sentence from two to seven years for offenders engaged in such despicable acts.
Furthermore, MPs were informed that the proposed changes would introduce a new offence of “sexual activity with a corpse,” carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years, specifically addressing non-penetrative offences in this context.
Fuller, a former employee of Kent and Sussex Hospital as well as Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, Kent, perpetrated egregious acts of sexual abuse on the bodies of 101 women and girls within hospital mortuaries between 2005 and 2020.
Convicted in 2021 for the murders of two young women in Tunbridge Wells in 1987, Fuller is currently serving two whole-life terms for his heinous crimes.
The government’s initiative to bolster the legal framework was initially set in motion by former Conservative ministers Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, and Dame Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford. Their Criminal Justice Bill amendment seeks to address the inadequacies in existing legislation highlighted by Fuller’s atrocities.
Mr. Clark emphasized the severity of Fuller’s crimes and stressed the urgent need to close existing legal gaps. He lamented the irreversible harm inflicted upon the victims and their families, acknowledging that while justice cannot fully restore their peace of mind, legislative reforms are essential to recognize the gravity of such offences.
The proposed amendments aim to ensure that perpetrators of these abhorrent acts are met with appropriate penalties, providing a measure of justice for the victims and their loved ones.
The government’s commitment to enacting these reforms underscores its determination to protect the dignity and respect of the deceased while holding offenders accountable for their reprehensible actions.
As the legislative process moves forward, the government remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and accountability, signalling its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of all individuals, both living and deceased.
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